in the game's civil war.

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association has delivered a

hard-line ultimatum to the game's top players who are considering defecting to

the new series which is controlled by Scottish-based Internet company The

Sportsmasters Network.

``I have not signed a contract with anyone but I've been talking to both

sides,'' said Davis.

``TSN have been a catalyst, and any talk of this destroying the game is very

premature. It could be reborn, and I think the players will be the winners.''

The WPBSA bosses have given their members until the end of the month to pledge

their futures to the sport's governing body _ or be excluded from the official

tour next season.

More than 100 professionals attended a players' meeting yesterday at the

Celtic Manor Hotel in Newport _ including probable defectors Mark Williams and

Ronnie O'Sullivan _ to hear WPBSA managing director Jim McKenzie deliver his

uncompromising message.

``We think 10 days is ample time for the players to make up their minds'' said

McKenzie.

``We need to draw a conclusion to this debate. I know it's an important

decision for them to make because many of them have earned fortunes from the

association. But the debate has gone on long enough and caused unnecessary

damage to our game.''